We've floated the thought that Joseph Randle could be pretty good for the Cowboys this year. He was respectable in limited action a year ago, and he's running behind a great offensive line. If he wins the starting job, he could rack up plenty of yards and touchdowns in the Dallas offense.

But the Cowboys clearly aren't content with just Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams competing for the starting job. Yesterday they worked out Ben Tate, Daniel Thomas and Felix Jones. Can Ray Rice really be far behind?

Tate crashed and burned with three different teams last year. Thomas was almost universally awful in Miami. Felix Jones hasn't been on a roster since 2013.

If the Cowboys aim to prove that just anyone can run behind their offensive line, they're going about it the right away in working out those players.

Every team works out veterans all the time, and it doesn't always get much publicity. But because it's the Cowboys and they parted ways with the league rushing champion in the offseason, it's noteworthy.

Most likely, it will be Randle and McFadden competing for the job. No earthly way anyone they're going to bring in off the street is more likely to run well than either of those players.

It's a reminder, though, to be careful how high you select any of these backs in early drafts. No one is going to be handed anything, and no one, based on their play, can be considered a sure thing to produce.

--Andy Richardson